Since You've Been Gone

chapter 38 - sunshine rays

where's my love- syml

I don't think I had been this nervous to step foot into school since the first day, back in August. Of course, that was back when I didn't look like a beached whale, and my pregnancy was also a secret. Lots have changed since then, especially my relationship with Jack.

In August, Jack and I weren't together, but I would've considered us friends. We had spent two years of our lives in a romantic relationship that was perfect to the outside eye. I had given my virginity to him, for fuck's sake.

And at some point, I truly believed that I was going to marry Jack Leigh.

But then he stabbed me in the back and erased any sense of compassion and love that he had for me.

The Jack that posted my nudes was not the Jack I fell in love with. He wasn't the sweet boy who ate dinner at my house every Wednesday when my mom made spaghetti. He wasn't the boy who Layla and I had welcomed into our lives and seamlessly added into our group.

That Jack was long gone. This version was nowhere near the version of the boy I had loved for two years.

This Jack was mean. He was aggressive and spiteful. His caramel-brown eyes that shined an almost golden color when the sun hit them were full of hatred. Hate directed straight at me.

And now, that boy was going to be in the same school as me.

Today was the day I had been dreading ever since Jack had been dragged out of the cafeteria in handcuffs. Frankly, I was in no way, shape, or form prepared to see Jack, but I was tired of being scared of him and letting him run my life.

"We can still run back to the car and get breakfast at the diner," Layla murmured from beside me.

I shook my head. "No. I'll be okay."

"Hope..."

"Layla. I promise."

Letting out a deep breath, I began walking towards the front doors of the school.

I don't know if everyone knew that Jack was coming back today, or maybe they had already seen him lurking in the hallways, but people definitely knew something was up.

It was giving me major flashbacks to when Connor had moved back to town, and everyone stared at me and Layla as we walked through the dimly lit hallways.

"I'm having déjà vu." Layla groaned.

"Me too." I laughed, and God did it feel nice to laugh.

"Text me if you need me H. I will deadass leave in the middle of a lecture if you need me," Layla spoke as the warning bell for class rang.

I know how much she's been worrying about me and today, so I gave her a smile hoping it would calm her nerves. "I'll be fine. Now go."

"I'll see you at lunch."

Taking a deep breath, I watched Layla weave in and out of the crowd as she rushed to get to class. She was always so worried about not being late, and I guess I should have to but, I just couldn't be bothered.

Besides, maybe I could blame it on the baby pressing against my bladder.

But as the morning dragged on, nothing crazy happened. Other than the fact that my American Government class didn't seem nearly as boring as usual, everything was fine.

At least until I was walking through the crowded hallway on my way to AP Lit.

My backpack felt like it weighed fifty pounds, and let me tell you, that was adding back pain that I didn't need. Then on top of that, I had to piss. Like I was seconds away from peeing my pants. But I knew that if I went to the bathroom, I would be late, and so my plan was just to drop my stuff in Mr. Cramerson's room and politely tell him I was about to pee on his floor.